28 May 2015: The 12th edition of the Carbon Expo instilled a sense of renewed optimism about the future of carbon markets, according to event organizers. The 2015 Carbon Expo, which is a global carbon market fair and conference, brought together stakeholders from the policy, business, non-governmental, research and financial realms to discuss carbon pricing and finance tools for transitioning to low-carbon economies.

The event, held 26-28 May 2015, addressed topics such as the potential role of market mechanisms in the anticipated 2015 climate change agreement, crowd-funding, experiences with domestic carbon pricing schemes and pioneering energy technologies . Speaking at the opening ceremony, UNFCCC Executive Secretary Christiana Figueres remarked that “[b]usiness used to wait for governments for policy perfection – they are no longer waiting. They are moving forward, providing support and encouragement to national and international actions, because addressing climate change is their best policy for business continuity.”

The International Emissions Trading Association (IETA) released its ‘GHG Market Sentiment Survey 2015’ at the event. The publication argues that, while carbon markets have experienced challenging times in recent years, businesses feel strongly that market-based solutions are the most effective way to achieve emissions reductions. According to IETA CEO Dirk Forrister, “The message for policymakers going into the climate negotiations is clear: markets matter for the success of any future climate framework in boosting action by the private sector.”

Organized by the World Bank, IETA and Fira de Barcelona, the Expo took place in Barcelona, Spain, and was attended by 2,200 people from 109 countries, including 35 CEOs from leading companies. The 2016 Carbon Expo is planned for late May 2016 and will be held in Cologne, Germany. [IISD RS Sources] [Carbon Expo Website] [Publication: GHG Market Sentiment Survey 2015]